CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) has become the first airline to officially support Apple wallet refreshed boarding pass experience in iOS 26, offering travelers a new, interactive way to access and share real-time flight information.
The feature integrates Live Activities directly into Apple Wallet, providing passengers with dynamic flight updates right from their iPhone lock screen or Dynamic Island.
The rollout began with major US hubs like Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), where travelers can now experience a more connected and convenient journey. Passengers can track flights, view gate changes, and even share live flight progress with friends and family through the new Apple Wallet interface.
Photo: Your Golf Travel
United Airlines New Apple Wallet Upgrade
Apple first unveiled the refreshed digital boarding pass at its WWDC 2025 developer conference in June, but the features only became available publicly with the release of iOS 26.
The upgrade introduces several key enhancements, turning Apple Wallet into a real-time travel companion.
United Airlines (UA) is not only the first airline to support these updates but also among the ten global carriers partnering with Apple to bring the technology to passengers.
The full list includes Air Canada (AC), American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), JetBlue (B6), Jetstar (JQ), Lufthansa (LH), Qantas (QF), Southwest Airlines (WN), and Virgin Australia (VA).
United’s implementation allows travelers to:
View real-time flight status directly on their lock screen.
Share Live Activities updates with friends and family.
Access airport terminal maps built into the boarding pass.
Use Find My integration to track or report lost luggage.
Access standby lists and flight services from within the Wallet.
According to PYOK, United’s rapid adoption of Apple’s latest digital travel tools aligns with its strategy to enhance the passenger experience through continuous technological investment.
Photo: Clément Alloing
Building on United’s Digital Transformation
United’s early adoption of iOS innovations reflects years of investment in customer-facing technology. Earlier in 2025, the airline introduced a personalized flight connection feature in the United mobile app.
This feature displays real-time updates, countdown timers, and turn-by-turn gate directions on a single screen, helping passengers navigate tight connections more easily.
The upgrade builds upon United’s acclaimed ConnectionSaver technology, launched in 2019. This system uses AI algorithms to determine whether holding a departing flight will realistically help connecting passengers board without causing downstream delays.
The initiative has saved over 3.3 million customer connections since its introduction, reinforcing United’s focus on practical, data driven solutions for travelers.
Photo: Dylan T | Flickr
Enhanced Accessibility and Live Tracking
The new boarding pass features also integrate seamlessly with other Apple services. Through Find My, passengers can quickly locate misplaced luggage or report lost items.
The airport maps built into Apple Wallet simplify navigation inside terminals, while Live Activities ensure that gate changes and delays are immediately visible, even without unlocking the phone.
United was also the first US airline to utilize Apple’s initial Live Activities feature back in 2023, which displayed live flight information on the iPhone’s lock screen and Dynamic Island.
Since then, the airline has expanded its mobile app to include real-time weather delay maps, personalized delay explanations, and notifications about steps being taken to resolve disruptions.
Photo: Clément Alloing
Future of Connected Air Travel
United’s collaboration with Apple highlights the growing intersection between aviation and consumer technology, making air travel more transparent and efficient.
As digital ecosystems like Apple Wallet evolve, more airlines are expected to adopt similar integrations, ultimately reshaping how passengers interact with their travel data.
For now, United’s leadership in bringing Apple’s refreshed boarding pass to passengers marks another milestone in its ongoing digital transformation journey, one that prioritizes real-time information, connectivity, and convenience at every step of the traveler experience.
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